Probation for woman who cheated benefit system out of £27k

Mum of 13 failed to declare £48k profit from a property sale

A Douglas woman who claimed more than £27,000 in benefits she wasn’t entitled to has avoided prison.

Victoria Michelle Raby, of Hutchinson Square failed to declare that she received a payment of more than £48,000 from a property sale in 2023.

Surveillance was also undertaken at her partner's address, which proved the 39-year-old was living at a different address to the one she'd previously declared.

In police interview, she acknowledged she should have declared her living situation, but that she knew doing so would mean her benefits would have stopped.

During sentencing at Douglas Courthouse Raby’s advocate told the court her client was in a 'desperate' financial situation at the time and clarified that the property sale came as a result of an auction by the coroner after she had defaulted on mortgage payments.

She added that the mum of 13 has learnt 'a very harsh lesson'.

Imposing an 18-month probation order, Magistrates told Raby that whilst she was 'not dishonest from the outset' it was 'a substantial overpayment'.

She was ordered to repay the full amount at a rate of £30 per week.

The prosecution also sought £50 in costs, which Magistrates waived.